Okay, so now it is time to dip our toes into the "dark side" and take a look at the best erotica books I've read this past year. I know some authors look down their noses at erotica writers, but the reality, for me anyway, is that good writing is good writing, whatever the genre and one thing is for sure - there are only so many ways any writer can describe an orgasm and still maintain some freshness and interest in the story. In that respect, a fine erotica writer will stand out from the morass. That's what I hope I'm highlighting here, some very fine erotica authors. The other thing, of course to consider, if there wasn't a market for erotica - people wouldn't write erotic novels. There is - and they do, so on with the show.

erotica!

Rannigan's Redemption by Pandora Spocks really was much more than I initially expected. I was aware of Spocks' writing being of the erotic variety and yes, there is enough hot and steamy sex scenes in Rannigan's Redemption to keep any aficionado happy, but it is so much more than just erotica. This is a damn good, well-written, love story that features a female lead character, in Maggie, who is strong, intelligent, savvy, and has just the right amount of feistiness. When Maggie, is employed by Michael Rannigan's Law firm as a junior lawyer, neither of them can deny the mutual attraction they have for each other. Michael has a well-ordered life of luxury, with even his girlfriends falling into a well-organised category. Maggie, simply, isn't Michael's preferred taste, but there is absolutely no denying the chemistry between the pair. Compounding matters, for both of them, is the issue of the boss/employee relationship. I found Spocks' characters, even the lesser players, to be well-drawn, very believable and incredibly easy to relate to. This is always the sgn of a superior writer, which Spocks clearly is.As I often like to remind readers of my reviews, by focusing on the very best Indie Auhors out there, us lucky readers get to indulge in some wonderful, fresh perspectives and styles, in the genres we love. I would highly recommend Pandra Spocks and especially this novel, Rannigan's Redemption for a great read. 5-Stars all the way and yes, I ow absolutely have to read Part 2 to find out where this burgeoning relaionship will head next. A fantastic read Ms Spocks - Thank you. ​

Nomination Number Two is Sexpossessed by Ian Saul Whitcomb

Having read quite a few books by Ian Whitcomb, I've come to expect the unexpected from this author, but somehow, he still seems able to surprise me and blow my mind. When you read a Whitcomb erotica novel, you know, you're going to get considerably more than the "wham, bang, thank you ma'am" variety of erotica. With Whitcomb, you always know you're going to get something deeply erotic, but also strangely weird and wonderful. In Sexpossessed, the author has outdone himself in creating a world that defies most of our imaginations. As is often the case when I read a Whitcomb book I found myself equally repulsed by some of the story and equally in awe of the author's imagination and his willingness to "go there", wherever "there" may be in this particular story. I don't want to give away too much of the plot in this review, so I will refrain from suggesting where "there" might be, in this review, but what I will say is that Whitcomb will take you on a journey to the afterlife (as perhaps he envisions it) and will drown you in veritable oceans of bodily secretions. I'll be honest, there were many parts of this story where I found myself inwardly cringing at the pictures Whitcomb painted, but that is merely a reflection of how well it was written and how taut this narrative really was. Despite my, at times, inner angst, it is impossible not to identify with and connect emotionally with the three principal characters in this story. Look, if weird, wonderful, fantasies are your thing, Sexpossessed may well be the "holy grail" for you, but if you like a hot, steamy, erotic story with loads of twists and turns, Sexpossessed will do that job for you. When it comes to stretching the envelope of what can be done erotically, nobody does it better than Whitcomb. What else lurks in that fevered mind of Ian Saul Whitcomb? Only time will tell, I'm sure, but despite my reservations, I'll probably be there at the head of the queue for my copy of his next climactic adventure. ​

The final nomination in the Erotica section for 2017 goes to: Unorthodox Therapy (The Unorthodox Trilogy #1) by Lilah E Noir.

Unorthodox Therapy by Lilah E. Noir was so much more than I expected it to be. I've become very used to reading erotica, in short, sharp bursts, either through short stories or through novellas. Unorthodox Therapy, on the other hand, is a full-length novel. There's a reason why erotica tends to come in short bursts. It is very difficult to sustain reader interest in hot and steamy scenes over a full-length novel because the erotica itself tends to become fairly repetitive. I mean there are only so many ways you can describe a sex scene and an orgasm, right? Noir has managed to do this magnificently, in my opinion, and I applaud the author for that. This novel is squarely focused on the two principal characters and Noir shows us a depth and a multi-faceted pair of characters. Lina, the driven, sometimes bitchy, business woman and entrepreneur has so much more to her character than the facade she presents to her employees and clients. Thomas is your archetypal, software geek, with a hidden secret; his desire to dominate in a relationship - to be the master. Unorthodox Therapy is not for the faint of heart. It is consensual and very explicit, BDSM and Master/Slave role play, that may offend some, but if you like your romance with plenty of hot spice, I can totally recommend this book to you.I am a fan of Noir's style, of the extra dimensions she gave to her characters and really, this is so much more than just another erotic novel. It explores many elements of relationships and that age-old question; "what do you really, really want?" I really enjoyed this book and can highly recommend it. Five stars all the way for Unorthodox Therapy by Lilah E. Noir.

...and the winner is!

The thing to note here is we have three superbly written books, whose genre just happens to be Erotica. All three books were fantastic, but on reflection I've awarded this year's Grunter for Excellence to Rannigan's Redemption by Pandora Spocks

Congratulations Pandora! Don't miss our next award, which is always one of my favourite categories and also one of the most tightly contested - HISTORICAL FICTION. I'm so looking forward to that. Don't miss it.

Till next time, have a wonderful, peace-filled day!

CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!

EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!